Sermon - AudioJob 21-23 - Audio
Job 21-23 Daily Reading
Daily Insights - Please Comment
Job 21
- One of the themes of Job is that conventional wisdom is not sufficient in understanding the world. For the last few chapters the claim of conventional wisdom is that the wicked perish and the righteous do well. Job points out that simply does not reflect reality. The wicked often prosper.
- The Biblical writers often struggle with the reality that the wicked prosper. Many Psalms hold that the wicked finally will fall, but they speak that as an article of faith, not in terms of what they see. Habakkuk in his book complains bitterly about the lack of justice. Jeremiah makes a similar complaint in Jeremiah 12.1. All of this reminds us that the Bible doesn't ignore reality.
- During the time between the testaments the belief in life after death became stronger among the Jewish people. It was here that the wicked would perish and the righteous be rewarded.
- Job's friends get to see how good of a job they are doing in caring for him when he tells them that after he speaks they can "mock on" and when he says that they comfort him with "empty nothings".
Job 22
- Eliphaz gives his last speech. It seems as if he doesn't know Job at all as he attacks him on multiple levels.
- Eliphaz holds again that only the wicked suffer, therefore Job must be wicked. These folks know only one tune and are truly a pain.
- How might it bring comfort to you to know that the righteous suffer?
Job 23
- Job complains that God is absent 23.1-12 and that he is too close 23.13-17. There is a certain rhythm in Job of God being too close and so causing suffering and too far away so that Job can't confront him.
- 23.13: Job holds to God's sovereignty, but it does not bring him comfort.
4 comments:
good drama!
As Job continues to be accused by his friends, I wonder if the spirit referred to by Eliphaz way back in chapater 4:12-17 may be Satan himself. He uses the truth to accuse Job. We are not used to thinking about Satanic activity but I am surprised that most of the commentators I looked up think that the spirit is God or a good spirit. We know that Satan can appear as an angel of light and that he is like a lion looking for whom he can destroy. I have often heard it said, "Satan Condemns - God Convicts".
Cheers for Job for hangin' in there!
Anonymous,
Good question, Here are my thoughts...
The "Vision" - There is discussion over whether Eliphaz was having a direct vision from this "spirit," or if this was just a normal dream. These are very distinct things because direct revelations need to be differentiated from regular dreams. I believe that Eliphaz thinks he has received a direct revelation, however there is also little reason to find him credible to discern that.
The "spirit" - This "spirit" was unrecognizable by Eliphaz. The root of the word "form" (in v16) or "face" is only used when discussing "God." This is why most people believe this to be God. You can find other references in Num 12:8, Exodus 20:4, Deut 4:16, and more. Whether or not this is God, I believe Eliphaz believes it is. We have to remember the person this is coming from and the context in which it is being delivered.
Logan,
I'm glad you're enjoying the reading. God's story is a fascinating one and full of intense drama.
Keep it up!
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